Short answer: the Sennheiser HD 550. It ranks #8 of 523 over-ear headphones by sound quality (rated 4.5/5) at $199.95 and is still sold new; the Sennheiser HD 558 ranks #87 (rated 4.2/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used.
Why pick the Sennheiser HD 550: A preference score of 94 in oratory1990’s measurement, with only 1.63 dB of deviation and an almost perfectly neutral tilt, means voices, instruments and mixes sound natural and accurate. Watch for: Sub-bass averages 6 dB below target and falls 6 dB under by 34 Hz, so deep electronic bass and organ notes lack rumble.
Why pick the Sennheiser HD 558: An open back over-ear with a high preference score of 86 and a light 0.6 lbs (260 g) frame. Watch for: Sub bass rolls off early, falling 6 dB below target at 38 Hz, a 5.2 dB peak near 3.1 kHz adds glare, and dips near 10 kHz and 11.5 kHz dull the top treble.
Buy the Sennheiser HD 550. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the Sennheiser HD 558 is discontinued, so it is only available used.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Headphones rankings.
A preference score of 94 in oratory1990’s measurement, with only 1.63 dB of deviation and an almost perfectly neutral tilt, means voices, instruments and mixes sound natural and accurate.
B&H Photo Video $199.95 eBay
An open back over-ear with a high preference score of 86 and a light 260 g frame.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Sennheiser HD 550 | Sennheiser HD 558 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $199.95 | $179.99 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #8 of 523 in Over-Ear Headphones | #87 of 523 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 94 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 86 (1 squig.link measurement, calibrated to AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 1.63 dB standard deviation | 2.38 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.01 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.04 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 34 Hz (-6.8 dB at 30 Hz) | Falls 6 dB below target at 38 Hz (-8.8 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Back | Open | Open |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 38mm dynamic | - |
| Impedance | 150 ohms | 50 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 106.7 dB/mW | 112 dB |
| Weight | 0.5 lbs (237 g) | 0.6 lbs (260 g) |
| Frequency Response | 6Hz - 39.5kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 15Hz - 28kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | No | - |
Frequency Response Compared
Both headphones’ measurements overlaid on the Harman target. Above the target sounds louder in that range, below it quieter. Each curve combines the independent measurements credited below, shifted so its 500 Hz to 2 kHz average sits at 0 dB, so only the tuning is compared.
Measurement data: the Sennheiser HD 550 from daemonxar, filk, gadgetrytech, listener, sai and superreview; the Sennheiser HD 558 from auricularesargentina, all via squig.link.
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